MFT/3 & TS55 Vs. Site Table Saw Vs. HKC55

[WelshWood]

Hi guys,

I've been doing alot of work recently with sheet goods, and whilst the TS55 is incredible for breaking down sheets, I cant help but feel that working on smaller pieces it's a bit of a chore,

For example, I had to cut alot of 300 x 400mm pieces to use in a shelving unit, the TS55 produced a great finish, but surely it would have been quicker on a table saw?

This is my predicament though, surely for smaller work, an MFT3 would be just as good for that sort of work?

Then again, i've also been looking at getting the HKC55 for a while now and that looks brilliant for smaller pieces..

Too many tools = too many choices!

What do you guys recommend?

~WW

 

[PreferrablyWood]

Hi guys,

I've been doing alot of work recently with sheet goods, and whilst the TS55 is incredible for breaking down sheets, I cant help but feel that working on smaller pieces it's a bit of a chore,

For example, I had to cut alot of 300 x 400mm pieces to use in a shelving unit, the TS55 produced a great finish, but surely it would have been quicker on a table saw?

This is my predicament though, surely for smaller work, an MFT3 would be just as good for that sort of work?

Then again, i've also been looking at getting the HKC55 for a while now and that looks brilliant for smaller pieces..

Too many tools = too many choices!

What do you guys recommend?

~WW

I suppose it depends on your budget, the MFT3 is pretty nice setup on the other hand it's almost as heavy as a dedicated job site table saw. I think for the fine finish you need for shelving the HKC55 might not be the best choice..It doesn't have the antisplinter attachment on the rightside of the cut.. If I were you I'd make a jig for  repetitive cutting on a light selfmade table and stick to the TS55

 

[tjbnwi]

I would have ripped the 400 dimension then cross cut the 300 on the MFT.

I believe I read (we can't get an HK yet, someone will need to verify this) the TS saw will run on the HK track. If so just get an HK track.

Depending on the application a square cut is not always what is needed. I've done many closet shelves where the walls were out a square, the shelf had to be fitted to the walls. The TS and rail were best for this application.

Tom

 

[PreferrablyWood]

I would have ripped the 400 dimension then cross cut the 300 on the MFT.

I belive I read (we can't get an HK yet, someone will need to verify this) the TS saw will run on the HK track. If so just get an HK track.

Depending on the application a square cut is not always what is needed. I've done many closet shelves where the walls were out a square, the shelf had to be fitted to the walls. The TS and rail were best for this application.

Tom

TS saw is incompatible with the HK track, shame..

 

[Master Carpenter]

I've had my ts55 for 6+ years now. While it's a brilliant tool that has made me money, it's not a total replacement for my table saw. The repeating small cuts you describe would be a table saw job for sure. It's just about efficiency when I'm on the job. Time is money.

I have downsized my table saw since getting the ts55 to one of the compact contractors saws. They don't seem to have the power of the older contractors saw but a thin kerf sharp blade helps. The small table saw and ts55 compliment each other, sheet goods are broken down quickly and any taper cuts are done with the track saw, narrow rips or multiples of one size goto the table saw.

Too many tool=having the right tool for the job

 

[jeh]

I've had my ts55 for 6+ years now. While it's a brilliant tool that has made me money, it's not a total replacement for my table saw. The repeating small cuts you describe would be a table saw job for sure. It's just about efficiency when I'm on the job. Time is money.

I have downsized my table saw since getting the ts55 to one of the compact contractors saws. They don't seem to have the power of the older contractors saw but a thin kerf sharp blade helps. The small table saw and ts55 compliment each other, sheet goods are broken down quickly and any taper cuts are done with the track saw, narrow rips or multiples of one size goto the table saw.

Too many tool=having the right tool for the job

A small tablesaw is the solution to cutting small pieces. Sure it can done with a track saw, but it's a hassle versus using a tablesaw.

 

[cperren]

I second the above recommendations for a small table saw for small cuts and narrow rips ... Although it can be done with a tracksaw, it's too much of a hassle..

 

[Woodwork Wizard]

An MFT/3 (or 2) and a TS-55R is a brilliant combination. Add a Festool router and it's even better. Add a 3m guide rail and a set of parallel guides and you can do so many things with 8x4 boards.

A small site table saw is okay for smaller stuff but pushing 8'x4's through one is a nightmare.

The HKC55 looks to me like its more for builders and construction work rather than furniture making. It's all very clever I know but I'm totally happy with a TS55R.

 

[Acrobat]

I have the ts55r and the HKC. Two very different saws really.
I use the TS for finer finish cuts on the standard festool rails and on the mft, and the HKC for everyday out and about circular saw use. It's very lightweight but  a great handy saw for general building jobs and with the short HKC rail is great for cross cutting framing etc. I also use it for cutting sheets down to  help with getting them in the stationwagon, then at home use the TS to cut to final size. I find it has enough power and I'm not so worried about bringing it out to a suppliers yard and if I absentmindedly left it there it's not so expensive as if I were to leave the TS. I don't treat it anywhere as nice as my TS and it gets a fair bit of use and abuse.
You can use the HKC on a standard festool rail, but you need to ensure you lift the blade guard up. I adjusted the HKC so it cuts at the same place on the rails anti-splinter strip. It has a thinner kerf blade 1.8mm rather than the 2.2 of the TS. There's 4 nuts in the underside of the saw base to loosen and slide the base in/out to match your TS cut line.

In regards the tablesaw vs TS and rails, this is I believe the gap where the CMS table and TS module fits in, giving you both choices.

 

[Zebt]

I am agonizing over either the TS55 or HKC55 but I am leaning towards the TS55 due to the fact that I can use the CMS. I'm only doing hobby and home stuff (deck and shelves etc), but the price of the HKC is very attractive! I already have some 18v stuff too..

 

[suds]

I'm into small boxes so my 1080's and Ts55 just don't get any use.  Between the bandsaw and SawStop I find it too muc trouble to set up Festool.